The same is true when we embark on the path of the healer. Because the world has accelerated and our vibrations are rising as Lightworkers, it's ever more important to embrace our gifts by allowing ourselves to process them fully. When learning the Usui System of Natural Healing, more commonly known as Reiki, we have a responsibility to honor the power of this amazing energy by integrating each of its levels or degrees before moving on to the next one.

Because I recognize the impact and power of each degree of Reiki, I teach the three levels successively allowing sufficient time for the cleansing and integration process between each class.

I remember well how eager I was to learn the second level after taking Reiki I. As a fire sign (Sagittarius) who wants everything to happen yesterday, I was champing at the bit. But I recall with equal clarity that period of processing after the first incredible Reiki class. During those first three weeks, I experienced detoxification or cleansing, which is relatively common. More importantly, I could truly feel the tremendous changes taking place as the energy became more and more at home in all aspects of my life. It was beautiful to experience the power of Reiki unfolding like the petals of a lotus blossom.

When I took Reiki I several years ago, I received four attunements-each one more potent and amazing than the last. There are Reiki Masters who shortcut this process and teach Reiki I in an afternoon offering only one brief attunement and little instruction. As a Master teacher, I choose to honor the power of Reiki I by offering four attunements to my own students, just as I received, because I wouldn't want them to miss out on any aspect of the full Reiki I gifts. I give the attunements over a span of time (Reiki I is a 10-hour class) along with the knowledge of how to use the energy more effectively.

On my own path as a student of Reiki, I waited a little over a month between Reiki I and II. My patience couldn't hold out for longer and I sensed intuitively that the time was right. Because I had fully processed the first degree energy, when I was attuned to the second level, I could distinguish the difference in the vibration of this life force energy.

To make an analogy to music, I liken Reiki I to middle C on the scales. Reiki II raises the vibration an octave higher, and Reiki III an octave higher still. Had I taken all the levels in the same weekend as some have done, I would never have known that first beautiful note that so graciously set the tone for everything that followed.

As an intuitive, I listen to my inner voice and connect with the Divine to seek insight and guidance. For me that wisdom was clear: To learn and to teach Reiki as a matter of degree-one class at a time on a path to greater enlightenment. My inner sense is that those who learn Reiki as a brief workshop or take two or three levels at the same time miss something vital in the awakening process. A greater concern is that taking too many levels at once could cause an energetic overload unless the attunements given were less powerful than those I received when I was gifted with opening to this wondrous energy.

I grew up taking piano lessons for seven years. My teacher didn't start me out playing Bach because I wasn't ready for that. First I had to learn the scales. Of course, learning Reiki is much easier than learning piano. But the point is we need to ground ourselves in one level before moving to the next. For some, that time is shorter than for others, but the time required for processing, 21 days, has not changed in the years since I began teaching.

As a Reiki Master I place great value on each level of Reiki. Each has its unique resonance, its perfect flow of Light and Life Force. I invite those interested in opening to the blessings of Usui Shiki Ryoho to find a Reiki Master teacher who embraces the complete power of each degree of Reiki and honors its mastery.

Diana Henderson is a Reiki Master also certified in DNA Activation and Therapeutic Breathwork. Her practice in Wake County, NC, includes spiritual and channeled readings and healing work. telephone: 919-552-0524, email: pulsarstar55@earthlink.net web site: http://www.dianahenderson.net/